Massage Therapy has many benefits to the pregnant mother: 

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• It will promote relaxation, stress and anxiety reduction.

• Reduces or alleviates neck, back and joint pain caused by posture, muscle weakness, tension and extra weight.

• Relieves muscle spasms, cramps and fibrosis, all of which can be intensified by several pregnancy risk factors.

• Reduces blood pressure which can be especially valuable to a woman with pre-eclampsia.

• Increase blood and lymph circulation which minimizes the edema, varicose veins and leg cramps common with pregnancy.

• Encourage deeper and easier breathing which is especially important for women with asthma or lung problems.

 

Higher Risk Pregnancies

There are specific qualifications for working with patients who have pregnancy complications or are deemed to have higher risk pregnancies. 

A high-risk pregnancy is one in which the mother or baby has a greater chance of injury or death due to complications which can occur before or after delivery. A woman may be considered high risk for many reasons including: her age (under 15 or over 35), family history, cancer, asthma, diabetes, pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, as well as the major diseases of the heart, kidney and lungs. Massage Therapy can be very therapeutic in combating many of these symptoms. 

If a client indicates that she is considered to be high risk, it is essential to communicate with, and secure a release from her prenatal health care provider. Some clients may have been restricted by their health care providers in the positions they are allowed to take. This can include no sitting or prone or supine positioning, or lying on either the left or right sides. When no specific restrictions have been given, side-lying positioning is the safest, offers the greatest comfort, and increases blood flow to the heart. ​

These services are also extended to the patients who are receiving Doula Services.